UPDATE: The New Jersey Devils decisively defeated the Los Angeles Kings 4-1 on Saturday night, ending the Kings’ impressive points streak. Dawson Mercer stole the spotlight with two short-handed goals in the third period, while Brian Halonen celebrated his first NHL goal, marking a pivotal moment for the Devils.
In a thrilling matchup at Crypto.com Arena, Jacob Markstrom showcased his skills with an outstanding 42 saves following his recent $12 million contract extension. After a tough stretch that saw the Devils concede 13 goals over two games, this victory was crucial for restoring their momentum after an eight-game winning streak earlier this season.
Mercer opened the scoring by netting his team-leading seventh goal while the Kings were on a power play. He later sealed the game with a second short-handed goal into an empty net, further solidifying his role as a key player. His remarkable performance marks his second consecutive two-goal game.
The Kings managed to break Markstrom’s shutout bid with a goal from Andrei Kuzmenko midway through the third period, but it wasn’t enough to shift the game’s momentum. The Kings had previously recorded points in seven straight games, bouncing back from a 1-3-1 start to the season.
This game also saw Nico Hischier end his seven-game goal drought, scoring off a deflection from Luke Hughes’ long shot in the first period. Halonen, a 26-year-old forward who had been waiting for this opportunity, finally found the net in his 12th NHL appearance after stepping in for the injured Connor Brown, who missed the game with an undisclosed injury.
With this defeat, the Kings will be looking to regroup as they prepare to face the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday. As the NHL season intensifies, fans will be watching closely to see how both teams adapt and respond to these recent developments. Stay tuned for more updates as the season unfolds.